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The story of Bodrum Mausoleum, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, is related to the Hecatomnid dynasty, whose siblings Mausolus and Artemisia married each other. A major twist came in Eva’s story when her brother (husband) died and widow Artemisia took over the power.
Bodrum, situated on the shores of the Aegean Sea, is today the most expensive holiday destination for Istanbul’s elite class, where superyachts and ultra-luxury villas are visible, but its real story began in 350 BC. This land has been witness to many civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines but the biggest ‘game changer’ was the Hecatomnid dynasty. Every inch of this peninsula screams that it was the hottest hotspot of trade and politics between East and West.
It may seem unimaginable today, but Mausolus, the ruler of ancient Caria, married his own sister Artemisia II. This was not a love story, but a political strategy to ‘seal’ the power within the family. Together these two made Halicarnassus the capital of Caria. Mausolus was a bit dictatorial in nature; He imposed heavy taxes to make the city grand. Even on men’s long hair.
When Mausolus died in 353 BC, Artemisia was devastated. She not only became a widow, but also became the heir to power. His grief was so great that he mixed the burnt ashes of Mausolus with wine and drank it.
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The monument that Artemisia built for Mausolus was his obituary, carved in stone. By combining Greek, Egyptian and Lycian styles, he created an architectural marvel that was beyond imagination at that time. More than 400 feet circumference, decorated with 400 statues and the statues of the couple riding on the chariot at the top. It was not just a tomb, it was a luxurious display of the queen’s pain, making it the fourth wonder of the world at that time. (Photo credit- muze.gov.tr)
Mausolus’s foresight was not only in the tomb, but also in his defense technology. The Mindos Gate and the deep moat he built held back Alexander the Great’s massive army for a long time during the siege of Halicarnassus in 334 BC. Although Alexander ultimately won, this resistance proved how seriously Mausolus had taken the defense of his city. (Photo credit- muze.gov.tr)
Centuries later, when earthquakes destroyed the mausoleum, its stones did not disappear. In the 15th century, the Knights of St. John built Bodrum Castle (a massive Gothic fortress) using the same magnificent marble and columns. That is, Mausolus’s mourning stone became a weapon of defense for other rulers! Today, you can see the same stones in Bodrum Castle, which tell the stories of two different eras. (Photo credit- muze.gov.tr)
Do you know where the best pieces of the Mausoleum are today? In the 19th century, British archaeologist Charles Newton, after excavation, took the main remains of the tomb and displayed it in the British Museum (London). Today, you see just the foundations in Bodrum, while two lion statues and gorgeous frescoes stand 2000 miles away in London. This incident shows that the artefacts of history have also been victims of global politics. (Photo credit- muze.gov.tr)
Another living example of the legacy of Mausolus is the ancient theatre, which still exists today with a capacity of 10,000 people. Even today, concerts and cultural programs take place here, which remind us of the plays and gladiator fights of that era. (Photo credit- muze.gov.tr)
Mausolus was also survived by his younger sister Ada, who married his brother Idrius. The biggest twist in Ada’s story came when Alexander the Great adopted her as his ‘adopted daughter’ and gave her the right to rule over Caria. The gold crown of Ada and its remains are on display in the Bodrum Museum.
